Vessel

Vessel is a general term for an object that holds something. It derives from the Latin vas meaning a container. In everyday usage, a vessel is any hollow container made to store, pour, or transport liquids or other substances, including pots, jars, bowls, and vases. In ceramics and glassmaking, the term emphasizes the component's function as a container rather than its form.

In biology, the word refers to tubular structures that carry fluids. Blood vessels include arteries, veins, and capillaries, and form part of the circulatory system. Lymphatic vessels transport lymph, while in plants, xylem vessels conduct water and minerals. Vessel walls and lumen diameter vary by type and function, affecting flow and pressure.

In maritime contexts, a vessel refers to a ship or boat; in legal contexts, the term can denote a registered seaworthy vessel. In space exploration, spacecraft are sometimes called vessels, especially in science fiction. In religious and ceremonial contexts, a vessel denotes a sacred or ceremonial container, such as a chalice, paten, or reliquary, used to hold substances or offerings.

The term is widely used metaphorically to describe any conduit or channel through which something is conveyed, such as a vessel of communication.